The Band Of Heathens, the Austin-based, fiercely independent rock and roll group led by dual lead vocalists and songwriters Ed Jurdi and Gordy Quist, today released their new single “Don’t Let The Darkness.” A soulful track which features big vocal harmonies provided by vocalist Amber Woodhouse, from their forthcoming album Simple Things. Their ninth studio album will be released on March 17 on their own label BOH Records. Pre-order here.

To accompany the release, the band created a music video to capture the message that family love leaves an indelible mark on our lives, sharing the belief that love defies the passage of time, and eventually all that remains is love. Featuring images of their fans’ favorite vintage pictures, polaroids and videos of their parents, grandparents, sisters, brothers, and children, the video celebrates the people who have shaped us all into who we have become.

From day one, The Band of Heathens have remained proudly, fiercely independent—turning down label offers, maintaining complete ownership of their catalog, building their now extensive audience one show at a time. From their humble roots as a rag tag local bar band – where they first formed in the early 2000s when Quist and Jurdi were among four songwriters playing regular weekly sets at the late, lamented club Momo’s – to award winning, streaming giant status (they have amassed 400 Million plus streams across their catalog), The Band Of Heathens are true to their name as outliers to the traditional music industry model of success. 

Their lush sounding self produced set was recorded in their hometown of Austin, in the hi fidelity studio, named The Finishing School, which was founded by the band’s close friend and sometimes producer George Reiff. Quist took over the studio after Reiff passed away in 2017, and upgraded with a 1972 Studer console; rebuilt golden ratio rooms designed by friend and famed producer/acoustician Mark Neill; and a batch of vintage mics from the band Queen’s studio, Mountain Studios, that have all been used on records by Queen, David Bowie, the Rolling Stones, and AC/DC. 

Simple Things is a musical, geographic and thematic return, back to the greasy rooted rock and heartland pop which they became known and loved for, when they broke out in the mid 2000s.

Though the members of The Band of Heathens now live scattered across the country, it was their return to Austin, to write, and eventually record the album, which was so crucial to continuing their progression and keeping the band alive.

Photo Courtesy: Alysse Gafkjen